China has initiated its environmental evaluation on the Songhua River toxic spill, as the amount of contaminants has appeared to decrease in the river located in Northeast China.

Experts from the Chinese Research Academy Of Environmental Sciences, and Tsinghua University have carried out ecological experiments along the riverbanks.

By examining fish and other marine life from both the polluted and unpolluted water along the river, scientists are appraising the pollution to the river's environment, which would give further clues to the river's restoration.

One of the experts, Liu Zhengtao, says the experiments would determine the hazards to the water quality.

"Currently, we've been examining two major aspects. First, the situation and distribution of the contaminants in the ecological system around the river; second, the accumulating and degrading effects of the contaminants in the system."

Scientists have also found that straws are effective in dissolving the chemicals of benzene in the river, which was polluted after a chemical plant blast upon its upper reaches last month.

Originally Published: www.pharm-chem.com